MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (Reuters) - Google Inc is challenging Microsoft Corp with its own Web browser that lets users run many applications that once worked only when installed on local PCs, executives said on Tuesday.

Google introduced a public trial version of its new browser software, Chrome, which is designed to handle not just text and graphics, but more complex computer programs.

Chrome, available in 43 languages in 100 countries at www.google.com/chrome, has been designed to download software and Web pages faster than existing browsers. It even allows users to keep working when one of its windows crashes.

This represents Google's long-anticipated head-on attack on Microsoft and its Internet Explorer, which has three-quarters of the Web-browsing market. Google has backed Mozilla Corp's Firefox browser, which holds about 18 percent of the market.

Google engineers and executives call Chrome a "fresh take on the browser," a 15-year-old technology that is supplanting 25-year-old desktop software as the basic way users interact with computers.

"You actually spend more time in your browser than you do in your car," said Brian Rakowski, group product manager for Google's browser project.

Chrome was seen by analysts as partly a defensive move due to Google's fear that the recently upgraded Internet Explorer 8 (IE 8) could be used to lock out Google. Google's core business of Web search and related advertising depends on browsers.

A Microsoft executive said IE 8 gives users control over how and where they navigate, improves their day-to-day browsing experience, and keeps people safe from new security threats. "Microsoft understands that Web browsing is crucially important for hundreds of millions of people, which is why we invest in Internet Explorer so heavily," Dean Hachamovitch, general manager of Internet Explorer, said in a statement.

CHALLENGE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS?

Google co-founder Sergey Brin said Chrome was designed to address the shift to using software from within a Web browser rather than as locally installed computer applications running inside Microsoft Windows or some other operating system.

"I think operating systems are kind of an old way to think of the world," Brin told a group of reporters after the news conference at Google's Mountain View, California headquarters. "They have become kind of bulky, they have to do lots and lots of different (legacy) things."

Google believes any task done in a standalone desktop computer application can be delivered via the Web and Chrome is its bet that software applications can be run via a browser.

"The kind of things you want to have running standalone (on a computer) are shrinking," he said, adding that he still edits photos on his computer rather than using a Web program.

GOOGLE BORROWS FROM APPLE, FIREFOX

Chrome borrows liberally from other browsers running open-source software code, including Apple Inc and Firefox, and company officials said they planned to fully share Chrome code with other developers. "We have borrowed good ideas from others," Google Vice President of Product Management Sindar Pichai said. "Our goal here was to bring our point of view, but do it in a very open way."

Because Chrome relies on Apple's open-source WebKit software for rendering Web pages, it can run any application that runs on Apple's Safari Web browser, Pichai said.

"If you are a webmaster, and your site works in Apple Safari then it will work very well in Google Chrome," he said.

Greg Sterling, a Web analyst with Sterling Market Intelligence, said Google's entry into the browser market has echoes of the bruising "browser wars" of the late 1990s, when Microsoft crushed Web pioneer Netscape Communications.

But while the competition between Microsoft and Google is likely to produce many improvements for consumers, the likely fallout from the battle will be other browser makers that have only recently begun to pry market share away from Microsoft.

Sterling said Firefox could become a victim of "friendly fire" from Google as many of its users are the same early adopters who are most likely to switch and try a new browser.

"Firefox has softened up and paved the way for Google. Without Firefox, Chrome would not be possible," Sterling said.

Brin said Google planned to continue to work closely with Mozilla, whose primary financial backing has come from Google in recent years. He said he hoped to see future versions of Chrome and Firefox become more unified over time.

Chrome organizes information into tabbed pages. Web programs can be launched in their own dedicated windows.Among Chrome's features is a special privacy mode that lets users create an "incognito" window where "nothing that occurs in that window is ever logged on your computer," according to a Google promotional guide.

Cross-platform media player VLC is often referred to as the "Swiss Army knife of media applications" for good reason: Not only does VLC play nearly any file you throw at it (you even voted it the best desktop media player), but it can do so much more. From ripping DVDs to converting files to iPod-friendly formats, let's take a look at the four coolest things you can do with VLC and start you on your way to becoming a VLC ninja. Photo by R'eyes.

NOTE: Many of these VLC tricks use the same dialogs, so rather than repeat the same steps every time, I'll be doing a thorough step-by-step once and then highlighting only the differences in the subsequent mini-guides. I'm using Windows in most of my examples, but since VLC is cross-platform, most of the same tricks should work just as well on any platform. VLC has a Streaming and Transcoding Wizard that's supposed to make this process even easier, but it's been buggy for me in all my tests, so I decided to go with the slightly more difficult method detailed below.

Rip Any DVD

You may have thought that you needed some fancy DVD ripping tools to rip DVDs to your hard drive, but VLC can actually rip any DVD with ease. As reader joelena pointed out, since VLC plays the DVD in order to encode it, it can bypass any copy protection. Here's how it works:

Open the Disc and Find the Correct Title: Insert your DVD and open it with File -> Open Disc. We need to find the right title to rip from the DVD, so at this point we're going to preview titles from the disc one by one. To do this, start with 0 as your title number and increment one number at a time until you find the title you want to rip. I've found it's quicker if you choose DVD rather than DVD (menus) at the top of the Open dialog so you only have to wade through actual video.

Pick a Folder to Save the Rip and Name It: Now that you've find the right track, you just need to tell VLC that you want to save it. To do so, tick the Stream/Save checkbox, then click Settings. Here you need to tell VLC where to save the file, so tick the File checkbox and pick a folder to save it to and then give it a name (e.g., My DVD Rip.mpg).

Determine Video and Audio Settings: Now you're ready to tweak the final settings before it's time to rip. Tick the Video codec and Audio codec, then choose the output codecs you prefer. This is really up to you, and if you don't have a preference I've had good results using the defaults described in this excellent VLC rip guide: mp1v for the video codec and mp3 for audio. If you need a specific file format for a mobile device, you may want to choose a difference encapsulation method and codec. Hit OK when you're done.

Rip Away: You've made it. Just hit OK again (make sure Stream/Save is checked) and it should start ripping.

VLC will rip the DVD faster than real-time playback, and you can follow the ripping process in the corner of the VLC window.

Convert Any Video for Your iPod or iPhone with a Drag and Drop Batch Script

If you regularly convert files to a specific file format—say, for your iPod—you can set up a batch file with VLC that will make video conversions as easy as dragging and dropping the to-be-converted file onto the script.

Create a new text file and save it as VLC Converter.bat. Make sure your filesystem is showing file extensions so you aren't saving it as a text file (you don't want to end up with something like VLC Converter.bat.txt). You need to make sure it's saving with the BAT extension.

If you were building the script from scratch, at this point you'd open up the file you just created and paste "C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" %1 in the first line. Now you need to get the command line options that describe how VLC should convert the file. For that, you can use the text generated by the Target textbox at the top of the Stream/Save Settings window described in steps two and three of the DVD ripping guide above, which displays the command line options you need for your batch file. Luckily a user at the iPod forums at iLounge already put together a VLC batch conversion script for iPods, so we can just use those settings, which look like this:

That's a lot of text, but it's just telling VLC everything you would normally tell it in the Settings dialog. The %1 variable will be replaced by the name of the file you drop on the script. Copy and paste all of that text (and only that text) into your batch file and save it. That's all there is to it. Next time you have a video file you want to convert for your iPod, just drag and drop it on your newly created batch script. The script was built specifically for converting videos to an iPod-compatible format, but you can build your own scripts to do virtually common conversions you want.

Stream Media to Other Remote Computer Repair

Now that you're using VLC to rip your DVDs, you've got gigabyte after gigabyte of your videos on your desktop. Rather than copying all of those files to any other remote computer repair you'd like to play them on, VLC allows you to stream video over your network or even over the internet.

First, go to File -> Open File. Browse to the file you'd like to stream, and then—like above—tick the Stream/Save checkbox and click Settings. This time, rather than outputting the stream as a file, we're going to tick the UDP box and enter the local IP address of the computer you'd like to stream to. On Windows, you can find your computer's local IP address by opening the command prompt (Win-R, type cmd, and hit Enter), and then type ipconfig and hit Enter.

Once you've got that, enter it in the computer you're streaming from in the text box next to the UDP checkbox you just enabled. Hit OK to accept your settings, then OK again to finish the setup. While you're still on the streaming remote computer repair, go to Settings -> Add Interface -> Web Interface.

Now it's time to start the stream on your other remote computer repair, and doing so is a breeze. Just open VLC on your second computer, go to File -> Open Network Stream, and—assuming the UDP choice is selected and the port matches the port you used in the setup above (unless you changed it, they should both default to 1234), just hit OK to start the stream.

You're presented with a slight problem streaming the video using VLC this way, namely that you can't control the playback from the remote VLC interface. Luckily you already enabled the web interface, so on the remote computer repair you're streaming to, open a web browser and point it to the VLC web interface. If you're streaming over a local network, find your streaming computer's IP address the same way you did with the remote computer's address above, then enter it into your browser with port 8080 appended to the end. Mine looks like http://192.168.1.2:8080. Through the web interface on the remote computer, you can control all of VLC's playback. Handy, huh?

The 950 ADSL2+ addresses the need for a comparatively low-cost unit for testing ADSL2+ lines installed across the UK and Ireland.

3M has released two new telecommunications testing products designed to reduce the time and costs associated with verifying broadband lines Between them, the Dynatel Advanced Modular System 965AMS and Dynatel Qualification Test Set 950 ADSL2+ give service providers and their contractors a range of telecommunications line testing features, including triple-play access lines

The 965AMS is designed as a modular system, with a number of modules interchangeable across base units.
This means that telecom operators and their contractors can equip a field installation team with testing equipment far more cost-effectively, because there is no need to provide every engineer with a complete set of modules as well as a base unit.

Equipment can be swapped among individuals, because no base unit is 'paired' to any particular set of modules.

The 965AMS is designed to provide comprehensive testing of voice, video and data lines, initially across copper including VDSL2.

In the future, new modules will address VoIP services and fibre optic lines.
The Vikuiti display screen on the base unit together with an interface and a simple control panel ensures that the 965AMS is easy to operate with minimal training.

With one click of a button, comprehensive line tests can be carried out in a few seconds.
The unit can connect to remote computer repair computer systems for further diagnostics or to upload test results.
The 950 ADSL2+ addresses the need for a comparatively low-cost unit for testing ADSL2+ lines installed across the UK and Ireland.

Using this handheld device, field technicians can test for signal loss, noise, power-influence, longitudinal balance, voltage, loop-current and ground resistance.

The results can then be uploaded into a remote computer repair syestem.

Weighing less than 1.2kg, this portable unit is housed in a durable case for rugged field conditions.

Features include:• One Mac, unlimited Windows.New Multiple Session Support gives Mac users simultaneous access to multiple Windows-based PCs or to a network server that hosts remote computer repair applications and files. Since it works with Vista and is a Universal application, Remote Desktop Connection Client 2 is compatible with the latest technologies on Windows and Mac platforms.

• A more Mac-like experience.A redesigned user interface makes this application more customizable. Create your own keyboard shortcuts; and even access and change preferences during active sessions.

• Print everything off your Mac.Access and print from Windows applications to any printer that can be configured from your Intel- or PowerPC-based Macs.

• Get fast updates and easy help.Microsoft Error Reporting Tool and Microsoft AutoUpdate are included so you can anonymously submit data on software related issues and get software updates as soon as they are available. Remote Desktop Connection Client 2 also takes advantage of the new Helpviewer and improved help topics for quick access to fresh online product help from within the application.

• Reduce security breaches.Network Level Authentication (NLA) is a new authentication method in Windows Vista that offers security enhancements that can help to protect the remote computer repair from hackers and malicious software. It completes user authentication before you establish a full Remote Desktop Connection. Please see Windows Help for more details on network level authentication.

A Texas law passed in 2007 has remote computer repair shops statewide up in arms. Seemingly pressured by the Private Investigator lobby, lawmakers enacted House Bill 2833, which seems to require computer repair personnel to obtain a Private Investigator license before being allowed to work on customers' computers.

The relevant sections of the law in question

"A person acts as an investigations company for the purposes of this chapter if the person:(1) engages in the business of obtaining or furnishing, or accepts employment to obtain or furnish, information related to:[...](B) the identity, habits, business, occupation, knowledge, efficiency, loyalty, movement, location, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of a person;[...](b) For purposes of Subsection (a)(1), obtaining or furnishing information includes information obtained or furnished through the review and analysis of, and the investigation into the content of, remote computer-based data not available to the public."

According to a lawsuit initiated by the newly-established Texas Chapter of the Institute for Justice, the Texas Private Security Board, a state agency, is interpreting this as including simple computer repairs such as malware removal.

The law provides for punishment of up to one year in jail and $4,000 in fines, and up to $10,000 in civil penalties. Additionally, any customer knowingly enlisting the help of an unlicensed computer repair person (that is, without a PI license) is subject to the same punishment.

Matt Miller, Texas Institute for Justice Executive Director and lead attorney on the case, notes that "it makes no sense to require a remote computer repairman with 10 or 20 years of experience to get a degree in criminal justice just to continue working in his occupation. This law will drive up the price of remote computer repair for everyone, and that’s exactly what the private investigations industry wants."

For many small computer repair shops, this law would mean having to shut down their business until they acquire a license. To get a PI license, one needs either a criminal justice degree (with all associated costs) or a three-year apprenticeship under a licensed PI. Neither are realistic options for most small computer repair shops.

While it remains to be seen how this law will be interpreted by the TPSB and the courts, it sure is reopening the discussion about whether or not remote computer repair workers should be certified, and how. Computer repair is one of only a handful of professions that do not need certification in order to operate a business.

Your computer's making a funny noise. It won't turn on. Smoke's pouring out the back.

Maybe you spilled orange juice on it. Or ran over it with your car.

That Computer Chick has seen it all — and fixed it — at her two Marietta repair shops. And she doesn't make a peep about how you could possibly have gotten yourself into this predicament.

Linda Pereira, That Chick herself, said many of her male customers have admitted bringing their computers to her because she's a woman.

"They're intimidated by the men because the men talk over their heads," she said.

Pereira, 43, has five women on staff, plus one boychick. That's her son, Andy, who's leaving in a few months for college.

"We're more mothering," Pereira said. "When you come in, we sympathize with your problem instead of being like, 'You idiot.' I think they just want somebody to kind of hold their hand and not make them feel bad."

Pereira's clientele is evenly split between men and women. Her staff works on residential and small business computers and iPods, usually handling three to 10 per day.

Jack McKinney, 77, of Kennesaw, has been relying on That Computer Chick since she went into business in 2003.

"She hasn't let me down yet," he said.

McKinney drops in when he's getting a haircut nearby just to chat and ask questions — free of charge.

"I wish I had a problem because I wish I could go there to get it fixed," he said. "They make it such a pleasure."

Customers enter a welcoming environment where the walls are alligator green, the same color as Pereira's kitchen at home.

"It's very soothing," she said.

The lighting is kept low and the floors are wooden, adding to the homey feel. The counter is metal, and Pereira encourages folks to plop their computers there instead of putting the hardware on the floor, as some shops insist. She knows it can be hard to bend down to pick stuff up.

If kids have to wait a while with their parents, they're given a bad hard drive and a screwdriver.

"If the kids didn't get it all the way apart and they're sad they have to leave, she'll let the kids borrow the screwdriver and take it home," said Kimberly Austin, a senior technician.

That Computer Chick expects customers to return the favor and be nice, too.

If they're rude, they run the risk of being assessed a $50 meanie fee. Pereira hasn't charged "the attitude adjustment" fee yet, but has called people and asked them to apologize to her staff. She's kicked some of them out, too.

"I've kicked out more women than men," she said with a laugh. "Some of them will apologize, and others will just decide not to come back, and we're OK with that, too."

That Computer Chick promotes its family-oriented services, and will help with content filters for children.

If people want to know what their spouses have been up to, Pereira said, "I will give them all the data and I sit down with them privately. "

She works with counseling agencies to refer spouses with addiction problems.

The company also has a donation program, refurbishing cast-off equipment from customers and giving it to people in need.

In Katrina's aftermath Pereira and one of her two daughters drove to New Orleans with five complete systems.

"When people call and ask me, 'Do you have something really cheap? I always ask them, 'Are you having a difficult time? Are you struggling?' I say, 'I can't sell you one, but I'll give you one.'

Betsy Collins, 19, who is working her way up to junior tech, recalls the slurping noise a keyboard made when Pereira removed it from a laptop.

A man had forgotten to mention that his wife had spilled a milkshake on it.

"The milkshake had actually melted onto the motherboard and then it fried the computer repair," Collins said. That Computer Chick's most amazing discovery? How about 122,000 pieces of spyware in a woman's remote computer? And Pereira would have found more if the power hadn't gone out in the shop.

"She just had kids," Pereira said, "and kids will go on everything. They don't have anything in their brain saying, 'Oh, I shouldn't go on that Web site.' "

She gave the customer a copy of "Cheep Tips" to avoid the same problem.

The guidelines are so good they've cut down on some repeat business, but Pereira makes up for it with referrals.

And that chick thing applies across the motherboard.

Austin remembers working on a new hard drive one day. "Then 'puff!' this cloud of smoke came out of the remote computer repair," she said.

What color was it? Pink, of course.

Spyware everywhere

The computer repair terms "trojan" and "spyware," often don't register with customers. So, she explains that each one is like having a fire in your house.

"You wonder, 'Why can't I sit on the couch?' Because the couch is on fire. When people use these anti-spyware products to actually remove those trojans, all they're doing is putting water on the fire and putting it out. So, now, you just have a charred couch."

Unbelievable but true, in 2007 Texas decided that anyone employed as a remote computer repair technician needed to also have a Private Investigator’s license if they take any action that the government would consider “an investigation.” Because the law is so broadly worded, that could literally mean that I could replace your hard drive but not repair it. Nor could I retrieve your data. In order to comply with the law and obtain a PI license, I would have to quit supporting computers for three years and serve an apprenticeship under a licensed PI or attain a criminal justice degree. Either way, that would be several years away from technology that refreshes itself every 18 months or so.

According to the author of the law, state Representative Joe Driver, R-Garland, technicians are misinterpreting the law. Driver told the Houston Chronicle that the law was sought by the private security industry and would not apply to people who do nothing but repair hardware. It would only apply to those who retrieve data for the purposes of analysis to create a report for a third party.

According to Driver, a current class action lawsuit against the Texas Private Security Board is nothing more than a publicity stunt on the part of the Institute for Justice. But Matt Miller of the Institute for Justice says that the law is so vaguely worded that it could be enforced broadly.

The Texas Private Security Board has interpreted the law as being “data retrieval for a potential civil or criminal matter.” According to Miller, that could apply to a technician searching for the source of a virus, parents seeking to find out the names of the people their child emails or messages, or people employed by companies to determine what employees are doing on their work computers during working hours. The result of any of that kind of data retrieval and analysis could be considered potentially usable in a civil or criminal matter.

I look at it from the standpoint of having been there, done that. I have found all manner of things on a client’s PC in the course of doing a seemingly unrelated job. I have, as a part of my job, been required to provide detailed reports on user Internet activity to seniors. Probably a good thing I don’t work in Texas.

Another aspect of the law that should also be considered is that anyone in violation can be subject to criminal penalties up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine in addition to civil penalties of up to $10,000. And that doesn’t just apply to the technician. Any consumer who knowingly uses an unlicensed company faces the same penalties.

In my opinion, the Institute for Justice is taking the right path. By forcing attention on this law, hopefully the end result will be clarification of who may do what. Perhaps this time through, Mr. Driver will consider asking an average remote computer repair technician what kinds of work they do and possibly gain consensus on what should be acceptable and what should not. I can understand the Texas Private Security Board wanting to act to protect people’s privacy but I believe that this law may be a step too far.

Share your thoughts. In the course of your day would a law like this impact you? How?

The Department of Consumer Affairs is cracking down on unlicensed remote computer repair and appliance repair businesses.During a two-day sting, the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance remote computer repair said it cited more than two dozen businesses that were operating illegally in the Sacramento area.Fast Break Tech on Folsom Boulevard was among the local business that were cited.Steven Wright, the proprietor, has been in business since 1999 and said he never knew he needed anything other than a business license.All stores and individuals hit in last week's sting had been previously warned either in writing, or in person that they didn't have a current license to operate, the bureau said.Any electronic appliance remote computer repair businesses -- including big box stores like Best Buy and Circuit City -- are required to be licensed through the department.Electronic remote computer repair shops require more than just a business license to give consumers added protection and to help them with recourse if something goes wrong with their item, the bureau said.The department said consumers should always check to see if any business they're planning to do work with is licensed.

Titus County officials aren't holding out hope for the return of a county laptop that was stolen last week after being left outside and unattended..

The laptop, belonging to Titus County Elections Administrator Leonard Rockwell, was stolen one week ago after Rockwell propped the device on the back of his pickup truck while he ran across the street to the Mount Pleasant Post Office.

His truck was parked in the election office's parking lot, located across the street from the post office.

"I was gone no more than five minutes to get stamps, and I came back and it was missing," Rockwell said. "I was getting ready to go out of town and I was in fast mode, trying to get a lot of things done at once."

Rockwell, who said he didn't have a bag to put the laptop in, improvised and balanced it on his truck's back bumper. He had planned to take the laptop with him to Austin to attend election training.

Rockwell stressed no voter-sensitive information was on the home computer repair when it was taken.

"We don't keep any voter registration information on the computer. That's all done through a database that's linked up to the Texas Secretary of State office," Rockwell said.

He noted a password is needed to access the database and that his was not saved to the computer. He's since gone in and changed his password and other private information to deter anyone from gaining access to documents and files.

Most of what was included on the laptop were copies of contracts signed with area entities to hold elections, figures relating to past voter turnout and sample letters to the U.S. Department of Justice.

"It's all things that are public information anyway, and were just easy to access there on the computer," Rockwell said.

A report was filed with the Mount Pleasant Police Department, but the laptop has yet to turn up.

"Even though all the pawn shops and authorities have been notified, it's probably history," said Titus County Judge Sam Russell, who admitted his main concern was if sensitive information was kept on the computer.

All area pawn shops and computer-related businesses have been notified.

"What they're probably going to do is try to pawn it," Rockwell said. "We've also notified all of the computer repair shops and those selling computer accessories. All they got was the laptop. Sooner or later the battery is going to go dead and they'll need some accessories."http://www.foxriverantiques.com

A remote computer repair business in Georgetown Township that discovered child porn on a customer's PC is pushing for new state legislation to combat the problem.

A Remote Computer repair House Calls wants technicians to be required to report crimes against children after turning in a 52-year-old Grand Rapids man last year. Michael Robert Brown had asked for his machine to be repaired, but when child porn was spotted, the company notified police, although they didn’t have to do so. It was one of two such incidents it was involved in during 2007.

A bill has been introduced in the state Senate by Holland’s Wayne Kuipers, who will hold a hearing on the matter in Lansing this afternoon. If passed, it would require technicians with knowledge of child sexually abusive material to report their findings to police, although a specific search for such material would not be allowed.

A computer repair business in Georgetown Township that discovered child porn on a customer's PC is pushing for new state legislation to combat the problem.

Computer repair House Calls wants technicians to be required to report crimes against children after turning in a 52-year-old Grand Rapids man last year. Michael Robert Brown had asked for his machine to be repaired, but when child porn was spotted, the company notified police, although they didn’t have to do so. It was one of two such incidents it was involved in during 2007.

A bill has been introduced in the state Senate by Holland’s Wayne Kuipers, who will hold a hearing on the matter in Lansing this afternoon. If passed, it would require technicians with knowledge of child sexually abusive material to report their findings to police, although a specific search for such material would not be allowed.

Q. The first time I used my laptop after a heavy storm, the home computer repair would not hold a dial tone when I tried to dial up to the Internet, and I still cannot get online with that computer. If this modem is fried, can I get an external modem for my laptop, or are there other options?

A. Computers and modems are vulnerable to power surges caused by lightning storms, as well as other power fluctuations caused by brownouts and blackouts. Most likely, your dial-up modem did take a hit during the storm. If you have checked the driver software and settings and the modem still will not connect, you probably need to repair the modem or replace it.

A computer repair shop should be able to open your laptop and make sure that the internal modem was the only thing damaged before repairing or replacing the part. An internal modem will probably cost less than $25, plus labor. You can also find internal modems for sale at Web sites specializing in laptop parts and have a technician install it if you don’t feel comfortable trying it yourself.

If you do not want to repair or replace the internal modem, there are external modems available for laptops. Most cost around $50, and you can find them in computer shops. These types of modems connect through the laptop’s U.S.B. port and provide a jack on the other end to connect the phone cord. The U.S. Robotics USR5637 modem is one such example.

If you have a cellphone, you might be able to use it as a modem; check with your wireless carrier for specifics.

In the future, using a surge protector with outlets for both electrical and phone cords might help protect your equipment, but shutting down and unplugging everything at the first sign of an electrical disturbance is your safest bet.

These days most of us have a computer or maybe two at home. But what do you do when they are broken?Companies tell you they can fix your broken computer and that they have got the experts. Over the last three months, KMBC's Kris Ketz and KMBC employees investigated.Armed with a hidden camera and microphone, KMBC took a computer to three major electronic stores to see what they would find. But first, Ketz took it to KMBC's own expert, computer repair tech supervisor Hank Palmer, and asked him to do something to the computer, something simple so it would not work.

"The only thing I did, I went into this bios, in set up and disabled the hard drive. It's one key stroke. That's something anybody should be able to look to make sure it's working," Palmer said.Ketz reported that Palmer disabled the hard drive bios, basically turned it off. Palmer said it is something any technician should find with a routine check."These things have built-in diagnostics, and that's one of the places you go in and test it," Palmer said.KMBC dropped off the computer at three different electronics stores -- Circuit City, Best Buy and MicroCenter. All of them have diagnostic fees just to look at the machine. They range from $60 to $70. KMBC paid, and after a few days, went back to see what they had found.The first stop was Circuit City."They said it would either need a hard drive to be restored or a new hard drive. It would be $129.99 for a restore. That's not including a hard drive," said an employee for Circuit City.A 160-gigabyte hard drive would add $99.99 to the bill.Then KMBC went to Best Buy."All it says here is, I guess, they couldn't do anything with it here. Probably means that it's a motherboard issue," said an employee of Best Buy.The employee told KMBC's investigative team that they could not fix it and that it would have to be shipped to IBM, and if it was a motherboard, it would be expensive. But since Best Buy could not be sure of the problem, they did refund a $59 diagnostic fee.The news from MicroCenter came by phone, Ketz reported."It's actually the part on the laptop that goes in and attaches to the motherboard that's bad. Also the hard drive is bad. To ship it out and get it fixed, it's a flat rate of $275," said an employee with MicroCenter.Add a $275 fee to the diagnosis fee.When asked who was able to fix it, Palmer said, "No one. No one fixed it."Just in case you are wondering how long it would take our technician to fix, we went back to Palmer and asked him to make the machine run again.We timed him at 71 seconds."See? That easy," Palmer said.KMBC contacted the three stores about our findings. A Best buy representative said it is their typical process to refund the diagnosis fee if they can't find the problem.MicroCenter said they can't do all repairs in-house, and if they have to outsource repairs, that company's fee is $275.Circuit City said they determined that a technician did not follow procedures and they were taking steps to respond.

Computers, I'm convinced, must be related to house cats. Just when you think that everything is purring along nicely, a computer can stick its claws right into your heart.

One moment, it's a computer; the next, it's a big paperweight. That shocking instant — when you hit the power switch and nothing happens — triggers a fine cloud of panic that turns even the most rational person into a wild-eyed fixing machine.

Today, while we are both calm, let's map out a game plan for that inevitable day. Stick this column in a desk drawer so it can help you calm down and avoid making things worse.

At the risk of sounding like a Zen master, first do nothing. Almost anything you do in the first moments is likely to be wrong. Calmly jot down any symptoms that occurred in the days before the computer died, as well as what you were doing at the time. You may find a clue there.

Now that you've had time to let the panic settle, check the most obvious causes. And, yes, that starts with checking to see that the power cord connections are sound. Then check to make sure that the surge protector or UPS is turned on and plugged in.

Some surge protectors and power strips can automatically switch off if electricity to your home is interrupted. Plug a small lamp or other AC device into the power outlet that you're using to make sure a circuit breaker hasn't popped.

Next look at the front panel of your computer. Are any lights on? If not, the power supply may have gone bad. It's an easy replacement — most large home computer repair stores offer them — but many will be leery of that repair. Those of you who are competent to do it probably know it and those who aren't know it, too (I hope).

But what if the front panel lights are on but the machine won't do anything? Let's turn it off and see what it can say for itself. Hit the power switch and restart.

Do you see an on-screen message when the computer restarts? For instance, if the hard disk has failed, you'll see a message. But that's not the only way that a computer can tell you its woes. Most use beeping sounds to alert you to problems. The meanings of these codes vary according to the kind of motherboard installed in the computer. Your manual will tell you the type of motherboard installed, or you can use another computer repair to check the manufacturer's Web site. Once you know the brand of motherboard, you can use this site to decipher the beeps:

Of course, the computer may be mute: No on-screen messages, no beeps. If so, try disconnecting any unneeded accessories — printers, scanners, etc. — and turn the machine on again. At times, a malfunctioning device will cause the problem and, if not, you can at least rule it out.

The next step is to open the case.

Some of you will be reluctant. That's fine. There's nothing wrong with packing up the computer and taking it to a repair shop at this point.

But if you proceed, take a look at the cables and connectors inside once you have the case open.

Are they firmly seated? Now — using the manual or just your knowledge — locate the processor chip. Most often, it will have a tiny fan connected for cooling. Is the fan turning?

Most computers will shut down if they overheat — a good thing. It's also a good idea to check the larger fan — usually at the rear of the computer — that cools the entire innards of the machine.

If there's nothing obviously wrong and the fans work, then try removing and reseating accessory cards.

(ARA) - When you're at work and experience a computer problem, you likely pick up the phone and call tech support. But what do you do if your home system crashes as you are working on a report due the next day; or worse, your teenage daughter is putting the finishing touches on a term paper?

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IN THE face of a spate of closures, one York Post Office has turned to technology to help secure its future.

Crichton Avenue Post Office has decided to double up as a computer repair centre in order to try and safeguard from any future closures.

The post office will now double up as computer repair centre, called Intake Computer Solutions on the site at Intake Avenue, Clifton, York. Despite its title, Crichton Avenue Post Office is based on Intake Avenue.

And bosses think the store is now the first place in the country where customers can post a package, obtain foreign currency and have their laptop or home computer repair , all at the same time.

Alistair Murray, sub postmaster at the post office for eight years called the move "an investment for the future of Post Offices" and said that his customers have been very understanding about the need to diversify.

He said: "They realise that the investment in the business is an investment for the future of the Post Office."

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Mr Murray said he took the decision to diversify what he offers to the area in the face of challenging economic and retail landscape.

As well as repairs, the centre will also be selling new computers and laptops, as well as second-hand computer equipment.

The computer business begins trading this week under the watchful eyes of Mr Murray and computer expert Jason Robinson. They hope that the new business expansion will bring longevity to the important traditional services supplied to the local community by the post office.

The shop is offering one to one, personal services that have been lost in the rise of larger, out of town computer stores.

"We see a definite market for the customers not happy with the service of larger stores, where they find it impersonal", said Mr Murray. Mr Robinson agreed, saying: "We provide a one to one service and customers deal with someone with knowledge of all the products on display."

"We know every product we sell inside out and our systems are built to individual customers needs, not just off the shelf'. That way you get exactly what you're after from your own computer."

"All the repairs are done by one of the people you meet when you first come through the door."

You might think he would want to come home from work and step away from the screen. Instead, Frank recently started his own computer business, Frank Consulting, based out of his South Middleton Township home. “The hardest part now is trying to balance a full time and part time job with my family,” he said. “There will be some sacrifices for the next few years until it gets going.”

Frank Consulting, LLC, provides computer repairand networking solutions to residential and business customers in the South Central Pennsylvania area. “I offer both residential and small business repair and networking,” Frank explained. “We can help design, trouble-shoot and install systems.”

Frank works both in his own home and the homes of customers, depending on the situation. He said he understands not everyone is adept at things like installing a printer or program. “What may seem like a minor thing can become frustrating,” he said.

That’s why he decided to start his own business. “It started just because of the fact that not many people in this area repair them,” Frank said. Plus, he admitted, “There’s a certain allure to working for yourself.”Multimedia : ImagesPhoto Reprints

Right now, Frank offers inhome computer repair and sells new HP and DELL systems. “The used (systems) will come available as I accumulate trade-ins,” he explained.

He has a Web site, http:/dbfrankconsulting.com and his plan is to take the business from part time to full time and, in five years, have a storefront in Mt. Holly Springs or Carlisle.

Frank offers free estimates and has a unique billing method for some jobs. “I don’t charge if I don’t fix it,” Frank said. “If it can’t be fixed, I don’t believe in charging the person. I believe in being fair.”

He also admits there are things you can do to avoid needing his service. “Use caution when you’re online,” he said. “Only give out personal information if you’re certain of the website your are on and make sure your antivirus program is up to date.”

He said, “If you’ve been online, there’s a good chance you could have a virus or security breach.”

And that’s one of the ways Frank Consulting comes in. “The biggest thing for anyone is a good diagnostic check-up of the machine because of the potential for viruses and spyware.”

You might think he would want to come home from work and step away from the screen. Instead, Frank recently started his own computer support business, Frank Consulting, based out of his South Middleton Township home. “The hardest part now is trying to balance a full time and part time job with my family,” he said. “There will be some sacrifices for the next few years until it gets going.”

Frank Consulting, LLC, provides and networking solutions to residential and business customers in the South Central Pennsylvania area. “I offer both residential and small business computer repair and networking,” Frank explained. “We can help design, trouble-shoot and install systems.”

Frank works both in his own home and the homes of customers, depending on the situation. He said he understands not everyone is adept at things like installing a printer or program. “What may seem like a minor thing can become frustrating,” he said.

That’s why he decided to start his own business. “It started just because of the fact that not many people in this area repair them,” Frank said. Plus, he admitted, “There’s a certain allure to working for yourself.”Multimedia : ImagesPhoto Reprints

Drew Frank installs a computer at a home in Mount Holly Springs. Michael Bupp/The Sentinel

Right now, Frank offers home computer repair and sells new HP and DELL systems. “The used (systems) will come available as I accumulate trade-ins,” he explained

He has a Web site, http:/dbfrankconsulting.com and his plan is to take the business from part time to full time and, in five years, have a storefront in Mt. Holly Springs or Carlisle.

Frank offers free estimates and has a unique billing method for some jobs. “I don’t charge if I don’t fix it,” Frank said. “If it can’t be fixed, I don’t believe in charging the person. I believe in being fair.”

He also admits there are things you can do to avoid needing his service. “Use caution when you’re online,” he said. “Only give out personal information if you’re certain of the website your are on and make sure your antivirus program is up to date.”

He said, “If you’ve been online, there’s a good chance you could have a virus or security breach.”

And that’s one of the ways Frank Consulting comes in. “The biggest thing for anyone is a good diagnostic check-up of the machine because of the potential for viruses and spyware.”

An interesting discussion ensued when, in my last blog, I wondered about helping a user with a problem on his homecomputer (his wife’s computer, actually). I also voiced my displeasure with a technician who charged him for two hours of time ($150), but couldn’t fix a problem which was apparently caused when this user’s son (or son-in-law, I forgot which) did something to the computer when checking an e-mail account - after which a variety of things didn’t work right, including the user’s own e-mail account. At least these were among the symptoms described to me.

After I wrote my piece, I told the user that I’d be willing to go over to his house and fix the problem (free of charge, by the way), being pretty confident that I could identify and repair whatever it was in a short amount of time. Of course, what caused a great deal of initial uncertainty in identifying the problem was how he described it. What he was saying just didn’t make sense, which, because of his lack of computer literacy, was pretty understandable. On a scale of 1-10 in being able to discuss a personal computer, I’d put him at about a one, probably less.

Source :http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/helpdesk/?p=201

Nonetheless, I figured that once I got there and sat down in front of the computer where I could actually see what was going on, it wouldn’t matter how he was describing it. I was certain I could fix it. After all, I’m the one who gave him the computer in the first place when we had an everything is free garage sale. (Every couple of years, or so, we make obsolete computer, parts, and pieces available to employees - all free for the taking.)

The next evening I received a call (at home) from this user, asking me what the main computer password might be. At first I was unsure of what he was asking, but I quickly realized that he was asking about the BIOS password. (I apparently forgot to clear it when I gave him the computer.) He said that his son (or son-in-law) was there again, and he wanted to try to fix the problem himself. Based on how he described the problem in the first place, it made absolutely no sense to me that any setting in the BIOS had anything to do with it, especially considering the fact that nothing in the BIOS had changed. After all, no one had the password to gain access!

Well, I told him what the password was, he told his son (or son-in-law), he thanked me, and hung up the phone. Okay, I thought, when he calls me back to come over and fix the problem, I can then find out what’s really going on. Absolutely nothing was making any sense to me at this point, and I sure couldn’t rely on him to accurately describe anything. Actually, I almost called him back to tell him I was on my way over. My curiosity was beginning to trump everything else; I simply wanted to find out what was going on!

However, I resisted the urge to go over to his house, thinking I would hear all about it the next day when he came into the office. Well sure enough, he did indeed look for me when he came in the next day. “Thank you for that password,” he said. “That did the trick and my son (or son-in-law) was able to find those lost three weeks of e-mails and documents.”

Okay, I thought. Even though none of this makes any sense to me, I don’t even want to ask. At least the problem was fixed; and it was fixed by the person who broke it in the first place. I considered it a small consolation that I was being thanked for providing the right password, but it only added to my confusion.

Now I’m beginning to have second thoughts about the conclusion I drew about that independent technician. Since nothing was making sense to me, I can’t exactly pass judgment based solely on ignorance and confusion - and that’s all I really had to go on! At first, I considered calling him to give him a piece of my mind. Now I’m considering calling him for my own peace of mind.